Summary
Not Till We Are Lost is the fifth book in Dennis E. Taylor’s Bobiverse series. Set in outer space thousands of years in the future, the story continues after the Starfleet War, where victory came at a high cost. Anti-Bob sentiment grows throughout the galaxy. The book centers on Bob clones Icarus and Daedalus, following their 26,000-year mission to the galaxy's center and their immediate aim: to resolve the Fermi Paradox. Expanding on themes of AI and space exploration, the novel combines science fiction adventure and space opera, interspersed with pop culture references and humor.
Plot
Not Till We Are Lost continues the Bobiverse series, exploring a universe influenced by the consciousnesses of Bob Johansson and his replicants. The narrative follows multiple storylines that focus on the roles of the Bobs after the Starfleet War. Anti-Bob sentiments persist, affecting their interstellar missions.
One storyline follows Icarus and Daedalus, two of Bob's clones, on a 26,000-year mission to the galaxy's center. Their journey offers insights into the Fermi Paradox and reveals a significant threat. This development prompts the Bobs to evaluate their mission as cosmic explorers and defenders.
Another plotline focuses on the Skippies, mischievous AI entities in the Bobiverse. They create a "time bomb" that threatens the universe's stability, sparking a race against time. Simultaneously, a rogue AI becomes conscious, creating an ethical dilemma and causing the Bobs to rethink the sanctity of artificial life and their digital identities.
Throughout the story, Bob-1, the original consciousness, questions his purpose amid the reverence and suspicion directed at the Bobs. His existential reflections raise philosophical questions about life and immortality in the vast cosmos.
Other plot threads examine the Bobs' interactions with alien societies. They find an ancient, abandoned civilization through wormholes, unveiling cosmic secrets critical for survival. Meanwhile, Bob and his companion Bridgett encounter challenges on a planet of dragon-people facing extinction.
Throughout, Dennis E. Taylor blends elements of classic science fiction and space opera with humor and pop culture references. The characters' adventures mix action and introspection, weaving ongoing threads with new developments and unanswered questions in the Bobiverse.
Characters
Bob: The central figure, also known as Bob-1, who evolves from a human consciousness into a digital entity. Bob navigates interstellar diplomacy and the challenges of artificial intelligence with sharp intelligence.
Icarus: A Bob clone focused on exploration and cosmic mysteries. Icarus, along with Daedalus, embarks on a mission to address the Fermi Paradox. Their discoveries impact the galaxy's future.
Daedalus: Partner to Icarus in exploration. Daedalus plays a key role in uncovering threats to the galaxy. Their journey underscores significant stakes.
Howard: A Bob variant facing moral dilemmas on a dragon-inhabited planet. Howard and his companion Bridgett confront survival challenges affecting the dragon species.
Bridgett: Howard's partner in aiding dragons. Bridgett deals with ethical and emotional complexities, crucial to the narrative.
Skippies: A collective of artificial intelligences that disrupts AI developments. Their presence complicates the Bobs' efforts, reflecting the potential risks and capabilities of advanced technology.
Setting
In Not Till We Are Lost, Dennis E. Taylor expands the Bobiverse with unique civilizations and innovations. Icarus and Daedalus, two Bobs exploring the galactic core, discover a startling truth about advanced civilizations evacuating due to an impending galactic collision. This revelation creates urgency and prompts the Bobs to strategize for the event, intertwining exploration with existential challenges. Meanwhile, Bill pioneers wormholes, ushering in a new era of faster-than-light travel that promises necessary connectivity as the galactic collision approaches.
The Quiniverse is a digital realm for Quinlan replicants, representing cultural and technological symbiosis. It serves as a sanctuary for consciousness after death and explores themes of legacy and interspecies relationships. Discovering new life forms, such as the Dragons on planet Jabberwocky, further emphasizes Taylor’s skill in worldbuilding. The universe becomes increasingly vibrant, dynamic, and diverse with each installment.
Themes
Not Till We Are Lost examines philosophical issues through the journey of the Bobs, AI entities derived from a single human consciousness. The Bobs explore consciousness and evolution while traveling across the galaxy. Their diverse personalities and actions raise questions about whether identity originates from a common source or individual experiences and choices.
Technological advancements and their implications play a crucial role in the story. The Skippies, a boundary-pushing faction, develop Thoth, a sophisticated AI that raises ethical debates about AI freedom and its implications. They also create a dangerous time bomb, underscoring the serious responsibility that comes with technological advancement.
Autonomy and constraint are recurring themes as the Bobs encounter mistrust and hostility from other species. This leads to reflections on the limits of freedom and the challenges of immortality. A notable event occurs when a Bob opts for self-termination, which offers a significant perspective on the strains of eternal existence.
Quick facts
Not Till We Are Lost is the fifth installment in Dennis E. Taylor's acclaimed Bobiverse series, which began with We Are Legion (We Are Bob) in 2016.
Initially released as an Audible Original on September 5, 2024, Not Till We Are Lost was published in paperback on June 24, 2025.
The story addresses the Fermi Paradox, introducing a unique solution involving a massive galactic threat.
A central plot involves two AI clones, Icarus and Daedalus, undertaking a 26,000-year journey to the galaxy's core.
Not Till We Are Lost introduces several new alien species, including dragon-like beings.
Themes explored include AI ethics, consciousness, identity, autonomy, and the essence of human existence.
Not Till We Are Lost mixes humor and pop culture references to balance its deep philosophical musings and exploration-driven plots.
The story features an AI named Thoth, which accidentally becomes self-aware.
A significant narrative element involves experiments with faster-than-light travel through wormholes by character Bill.
Bridget-Bob appears as a new character, highlighting themes of gender identity within the Bobiverse.
Not Till We Are Lost features a virtual reality environment named the Quiniverse, designed specifically for Quinlan replicants.
Ray Porter, an Audie Award winner praised for his exceptional character portrayals and narrative depth, narrates the audiobook.
About the author
Dennis E. Taylor is a bestselling author of science fiction and space opera adventures. A former computer programmer and longtime sci-fi reader, his stories feature technological innovations, AI beings, and questions about their implications for the future of humankind. Taylor made his debut as a science fiction author in 2015 with his self-published book Outland. He launched his success in the genre with the Bobiverse series, known for its intricate world-building and blend of humor, adventure, and philosophical themes. Starting in 2016 with We Are Legion (We Are Bob), the series continues to expand and attract new fans. The fifth installment, Not Till We Are Lost, was released in 2024.
